Thresher attachment



March 18, 1952 Filed May 9. 1949 @D cg@ In Fig H. AHLMEYER THRESHER ATTACHMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet l I n ventor Harvey .Ah/m eyer @Maa/2a.

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H. AHLMEYER THRESHER ATTACHMENT March 18, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 9. 1949 Inventor Hqrvey .4h/meyer March 18, 1952 Filed May 9. 1949 H. AH LM EYER THRESI-IER ATTACHMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 A; il-i-nI-iEEl-ll-l-l I' `g 5 m xm Inventor V' n #away 4W/@ym g a r By W' Attorneys March 18, H AHLMEYER THRESHER ATTACHMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 9, 1949 In ventor Patented Mar. 18, 1952 THRESHER ATTACHMENT Harvey Ahlmeyer, Ogallala; Nehr., assignor of one-half toRoscoeI Lunger, Ogallala, Nebr.

Application May 9, 1949Serial No. 92,180

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in farm implements.

An object of this invention is to convert a standard combine into a. relatively stationary threshing machine.

Another object of this invention is to attach a frame to a part of the elevator of aconventional combine, wherein bundles of material are placed on a conveyor which carry them within the travel of a cutter for cutting the cord holding the bundles together, the conveyor carrying 1 claimly (ci. 13on the material of the bundles to the discharged Y.

end thereof, whereby they `are deposited on the conventional elevator for a short travel toward the combine inlet. However, before entry into the combine proper, the material is spread laterally across the elevator, so that it mayv be introduced into the threshing portion of the combine in a rather even thickness.

Another object of this invention is to convertY a conventional combine which depends upon its for-ward movement for proper operation in cui'.-l

ting the grain from the field, into a piece of stationary equipment whereby the elements for separating the straw from the grain may b utilized although the actual cutters of the combine are ineffectual.

Ancillary objects and features of novelty will become apparent to those skilled in the art in following the description of the preferred form of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein;

Figure 1 is an elevational side view of a conventional combine having the attachment which forms an embodiment of the instant invention fixed thereto in operative position;

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the device shown in Figure l, portions being broken away to illustrate detail of construction of the actual attachment;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the device as shown in Figures l and 2; Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view tak e substantially on the line 4--4 of Figure 3 and in the direction of the arrows; l,

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional detailnf construction taken substantially on the line ST5 of Figure 4 and in the direction of the arro fsf;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view of attachment taken. on a line yl--li of Figure 4 in the `direction of the arrows; -v

Figure 7 is a perspective View of one of the arms which forms a grate used in conjunction with the attachment;

Figure S isA a perspective view of one of they 2. cutter blades used on the cutter or cord 4holding the bundles of material together; and;v

Figure 9 is a special bracket used in connection with the attachment and which serves the purpose of providing bearings for certain operative elements.

`Combines are large pieces of machinery or equipment which depend on the forward movement thereof through a field for cutting the growing material and for conducting 'it into a mechanism whereby the grain is separated from the straw. It has been recognized that the separation members in the combine could be used to.'great advantages even when the combine was not' in n and not depending on its :forward movement for cutting the growing jmaterial. With this in view the instant invention provides an; attachment for a combine and is fixed speciiilcally to the combine elevator sides for receivingv bundles of material which have already been cut and bound by means of cord. These bundles are opened, that is the .cord is cut and the material in the bundles is conveyed to the elevator after it has been spread across the elevator in a thickness which is substantially uniform, so that it may be moved by means of thev elevator into the conventional apparatus for separating the straw from the grain. This attachment therefore converts a conventional combine for stationary use whereby the separation mechanism of the combine is put'intoplay, although the cutters at the forward Aend of the combine are not used.

A conventional combine generally indicated at l!) is illustrated and includes various structural features, some of which are important insofar as the instant invention is concerned and some oi which are unimportant. Tov illustrate the actual treatment of the grain and straw, certain details of constructions are set `forth rather specifically in the drawings and A'other structural members are indicated merely toshow environment.

The combine has a draw bar l2, wheels I4 and amain chassis or frame supporting various elements. At the forward end of the combine there isl an elevator generally indicated at I6. and which consists of an endless conveyor IB. disposed around conventional rollers '20. i The elevator IB also includes sides .'22 and 2d and the cutter mechanism generaly indicated at 26 which is disposed between the bailes 28 and 30; respectively. f

After conveyance of the material by means .of the elevator, it is deposited'through the medium 'bundles of field cut material.

of a frontal opening in the separation chamber member 32. Conventional equipment is disposed in this chamber member whereby the grain is separated from the straw, the grain being deposited in the blower housing whereby the rotor urges the grain upwardlythrough the stack 38. The blower rotor is operated by means of a pulley 39, receiving its energy through-the medium ofl the belt 40, from a suitable source of power in the combine.

Referring more specifically now to the conventional elevator generally indicated at I6, by inspection of Figures 3 and 4, it is apparent that the inlet portion of the elevator is encumbered with an attachment. This attachment is removably carried by the sides 22 and '24 through the medium of bolts, brackets 12 and the like.

The attachment is preferably removed when the combine is put to its conventional use. But, if it is found desirable or deemed more expedient,v the-attachment may be so disposed as to be permitted. disposition on the sides 22 and 24 when Athe combine is being pulled through a field. The'said attachment consists of side pieces I4 and 16, respectively which are carried by and which actually form a part of a frame. This frame has a top 18 partially covering the sides 16 and 14 and is preferably made of iron, wood or steel.

`Spaced rollers 19 and 80 respectively, are mounted for rotation in the sides or side pieces 14and 16l and have an endless conveyor belt 82 with slats 84 thereon, and trained therearound. A support 85 of conventional description is disposed below the upper part of the endless conveyor belt 82 and is carried by the framing of the attachment.

Disposed above the endless conveyor and adjacent the discharge endv thereof is a cutter for cutting the cord conventionally found around This cutter consists of a number of blades such as the one shown in Figure 8 and indicatedat 90. As shown in Figure 8, this blade has a boss 92 at the inner end thereof wherein there is a set screw 96 (Figure 4) disposed. This set screw bears against a shaft 98 mounted forrotation in the framing of the'attach-ment. The blades may be staggered as illustrated in Figure 5.

A gratel generally indicated at 100 is mounted for pivotal movement on the sides 14 and 16 and at the front of the top 18. 'Ihis grate consists of a number of arms |02 which are secured to an` upper shaft or bar |04 having an extension projecting therefrom at one side. These bars |02 are disposed between theblades 90 so that the blades may pass through freelylwhen the cutter is in operation.

A spring |08 is attached at' one end to the extension |05 and re-acts on the top 16 of thev arms or bars |02 and Yuntil the strings or cords thereof are cut by meanspf the cutter. Then, the material of the bundles is conveyed inwardly until it is discharged from the discharge end distance up the elevator, the material is spread sideways across the elevator as limited by the connes of the wall or'side 24. The spreader generally indicated `at |20 is used for the purpose of pushingthe material across the elevator so l .that it isv placed von the elevator in a substantially uniform thickness. This prevents a large bundle which although the string'has been cut, from entering the separationl chamber. member.

Reference to Figure 6 shows the specific strucA A hub |22 has a number.

ture of the spreader. of spokes |24 extending therefrom in radial fashion. This hub is disposed on a small shaft |23 which has a gear |28 attached thereto. A worm |30 is enmeshed with the gear |28 and is operated by means of a power shaft |32. This power shaft is supported by means of a bearing |315 (Figure 3) adjacent one end and secured in the spaced bearings |38 and |40 respectively (Figure 9), which are xed to the arm |42. This arm is carried by side 16 and has an upstanding member or ear |44; the said upstanding member |44 supports the said shaft |23 which is used in connection with the spreader.

In noting Figure 1 it will be seen that various belting is provided for the purpose of operating the conventional elements within the combine which separate the straw and the grain. Attached to this belting is a belt |50 Which is operated oif a live pulley |52 and which is entrained around an idler |52, supported on a, suitable brace |53.

The belt |50 also is entrained around thepulley |58 which is xed to the end of the shaft 98, carrying the cutters 90. The belt is further entrained around the conveyor pulley |60 which is secured to the countershaft |52, used to drive the conveyor through the medium of the belt |64, disposed on the opposite side of the attachment as disclosed in Figure 3. A chain |66 is entrained around suitable sprockets |68 and |10, respectively which are in turn secured to the countershaft |62 and the lay shaft |32.

In viewing Figure 4 it is seen that the belt |64 is entrained around the various idler and work pulleys secured to the side of the attachment opposite that having the belt |50 in operation thereon. This transmits the power or torque from the combine prime mover or source of power to a smooth operating unit including the endless conveyor belt 82, the cutter mechanism for the bundle of cords or strings and the spreader |20.

While it has been described and illustrated but one form of the invention, it is apparent that variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having described the invention,l what is claimed as new is: f

An attachment for a combine which includes l an elevator having sides and a longitudinal axis,

said attachment comprising a frame detachably carried by at least one of said sides, a conveyor disposed on said frame and above said elevator and having its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first mentioned axis, a bundle cord cutter carried by said frame for cutting the cord on bundles moved by said conveyor, means for operating said cutter and said conveyor from power of the combine, a rotary spreader drivingly connected with said operating means and including spokes arranged to rotate in a plane normal to said axes, said spreader being disposed assaa'i behind said cutter and above said elevator, said spreader being carried by said frame to spread the material of the bundles transversely of said axes after the cords thereof have been cut, said spreader being disposed in part between said sides and above said elevator whereby the spread material is directed against the elevator for conveyance into a part of the combine, a plurality of.

arms pivotally carried by said frame above said conveyor and forming a grate, said cutter blades being passed between said arms, means connecting said arms together so that the arms move in unison, and a spring fastened to the last mentioned means and said frame yieldingly opposing the pivotal movement of said arms.

. HARVEY AHLMEYER.

6 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 487,347 Conn Dec. 6, 1892 517,754 Lamm et al Apr. 3, 1894 r689,992 Slutz Dec. 31, 1901 902,391 Footitt Oct. 27, 1908 1,260,014 Nichols Mar. 19, 1918 1,440,391 Kane Jan. 2, 1923 1,913,172 Schlayer June 6, 1933 2,143,749 Wessman Jan. 10, 1939 2,150,976 Kilberger Mar. 21, 1939 2,362,492 Livermon Nov. 14, 1944 

